St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-12-24
READING FOR THE YOUNG.
A POEM FOR RECITATION.

OOeWU ~" "e0UU S0sVs
thought was smart for . ten-year-old
But rather think I've been badly sold
May be "sold'' ID 'slang''-they tell me Il is-
II Is good enough for . case like thia
can not write much. OF spell very well,
But have . story want TO tell
think will do just my very hest.
And then get auntie to M up the rest
There's one thing always wanted 70 do
Folks told me could. and thought twas 90;
wanted to catch the birds In my hand
! thought that was fun, that would bo Just
grand.
fsuppose all boys hear the same old tale:
They said you'll catch 'em with salt ON their
tail
When you're near enough to sprinkle SALT
You can catch 'em then, of its al your fault.
And always wanted chance TO- try,
thought could catch all the birds that ny.
Some I wanted 70 SELL could sell them
cheap
Some wanted to tame, and always keep.
Well, last summer went to grandpa's. yos
know;
'Tis the iolliest place for boys TO 60.
couldn't begin TO tell you one half:
There Is fun enough for whole years laugh.
was watching the birds the very first day,
just to see 'em light and then ny away.
When grandpa spoke out, ~ I watched 'em
sail:
.You could catch 'em, Freddy. with salt on the
tail"
But didn't tell him that meant 70 try.
As saw them soar far up in the sky,
The very first time that I found . day
When the most Of the folks were gone away.
And there come such morning. bright and
I, was chirp. and twitter. from far and near:
had filled with salt two bright new tin pals
Enough 70 put some on hundred tails.
Nobody saw me when stole away.
Nor knew that took the salt that day,
But begged Of grandma . lunch TO eat,
And lot Of string to tie Up their feet.
Well sadder and wiser Fred that night
Skulked into the kitchen in sorry plight
Ny pail Was empty. my clothes were torn.
And grandpa told me looked 'forlorn."
drought home nothing but one empty pail,
And hadn't put salt on . single tail.
One pail-I had soon lost the other one,
Apd I'd found that tho catching couldn't -
. done.
Next day. on the ssils BY grsadpa's clover.
Eat long time and thought tt over.
Iwas pretty tired, and felt rather lame.
But did some hard th1Dking, Ill the same.
You might esseA sAssizds. ~ sAsgsd tsss ba1
stil
And let you do II but iAsy ssvsr VIM.
when you get close enoaeh 70 p1t on salt.
You could catch 'em without q 'ti0 yen foule
why. couldn't leaseA sr..Ana's old s'ssk
hen.
Issssd 10 Do n again - aeain.
6hs's ea1 snosgA. I sho1A think. - diA.
1ss = =: - - - e - E.. !:
You get near her. she's Oh like . rocket
Before you could put your hand In your pocket:
And birds that 0y away up In the cir,
Now. how could they-ten nett wasn't fart
But then. think that they didn't quite lie:
Papa. when he said IT, just winked hts eye.
And dear old grandpa was only In fun,
He thought knew that IL oouldn't be done.
cried. WANTED 10 catch 'em 20 much.
And couldn't even feather touch,
But there Is one thing I'm sure know,
II rested ne, when thought twas 20.
Ny mamma don't ever tell mo that way,
She is just as careful what things 70 say,
And she tells mo always what things are true.
O, mamma! NO bird 10 - good - you.
-Eksilv Baksv SUa0Jle, In R0Ssv.